Upon their arrival at the gates Fíli is able to hear the call for Lord Frerin, the steward, to be sent for. His daughter has returned, along with her uncles, Thorin and Gandalf. It can only mean that one of two things has happened. The Jewel of Durin has been found, or it has been handed over to their enemy and they will now need to prepare for war. Kíli, whose hair and beard have begun to grow back thick and fast during their months on the road, shrinks into himself even though there is no chance that the dwarves who stand wary guard over the group as they wait would know or recognise him. Bilba and Fíli linger near him. None of the three of them have any reason to anticipate this reunion with any real joy. For Bilba he knows it will simply be the time when she is taken from those she would consider friends and placed within Frerin's house until the weeks following her birthday when she will finally be permitted to return home. He sees her hand stray towards the pocket that he knows holds the ring which allows her to walk unseen and he reaches for her hand, holding it lightly in his though he has no idea if he is reassuring her or himself.

"Do you have it?" Frerin demands of Thorin when he has greeted his daughter, wrapping his arms around Adra heedless of the mud which covers her.

"We have it," Thorin assures the steward. "And I will tell you all of it, but not here where we may be overheard, nor before the Arkenstone has been returned to its rightful place."

"Then we should do so immediately," Frerin says eagerly, not that Fíli blames him.

"No," Thorin replies. "We are filthy and exhausted from the road, and this is something that should be done before as many of our people as we can gather." He glances at the guards who surround them. "There are things you should know, too, before it is done, decisions which must be made."

For a moment Fíli thinks that Frerin will object to his uncle's words, but then he takes in the serious faces that surround the younger son of Durin and the exhaustion that is clear in all of them, and he nods.

"Come then," he says, "I shall open my home to you so that you may rest and prepare for the final part of your task. And while there, Thorin, you can tell me everything I need to know."

They all follow, Bilba clinging to Fíli's right hand as Kíli holds tightly onto his left. The strange vibrations that have filled Fíli since the day that they got Kíli back seem stronger and are far more distracting than they have been in the past. It almost makes him feel sick, and he welcomes the feel of his brother and friend's hands in his. Dwalin walks behind him with Nori at his side, Bifur and Bofur take up places to either side of the trio and Bombur and Balin walk ahead between Frerin and Thorin who are already talking in hushed whispers. Every now and then a dwarf will approach only to be sent away with a few quiet words on some other task. Nevertheless they make their way through the great underground stronghold rapidly, with little time for Fíli to stare about him in wonder even though he has always wanted to come here. Kíli's grip on his hand is so tight that he wonders if he will end up with cracked bones, but he does not complain, still too relieved to have his brother back even after months on the road with him.

What little he sees as they are rushed through is incredible, high vaulted caverns carved from the living stone filled with dwarrow who rush to and fro from entryway to entryway, past doors which passing glances show lead into vast rooms. Some are workrooms, some are shops, some seem to be meeting places, dining areas or small libraries. Some of the vaster open places have sprawling walkways through them, both above and below, and all of it is lit by globes of some unknown glowing crystal which lends it all an eerie light. Erebor was crumbled splendor, Khazad-dûm has an ancient grandeur that Fíli doubts the Lonely Mountain could ever hope to emulate even when fully restored.

Frerin's home is, like much of the rest of the mountain, impressive. It is set in a large cavern, although it has been built to resemble a house in the centre of a large stone courtyard that has been walled off in much the same way that a few great houses Fíli has seen while travelling have been. There is a grand fountain in front of it, the statues in the centre depicting the creation of the Seven Fathers in the hands of Mahal. A dwarf with silver hair already waits in the door there, his body bent with great age as he seems to watch. As Fíli draws closer he realises that the ancient dwarf is, in fact, completely blind.

"The rooms have been made ready as ordered, my lord," he croaks, "and Myrta is preparing a grand meal for your guests."

"Thank you, Varl," Frerin nods to the old dwarf.

"Lady Bora has ordered baths be taken to every chamber," Varl continues as he leads them all into the house, "and clean clothing has been provided for all."

"Not the violet tunic," Nori cuts in, pulling a disgusted face.

"I have no idea, Lord Nori," the elderly dwarf replies, "but my lady does so like to see you wearing it."

"She's not the only one," Dwalin rumbles and Balin makes a noise that could be frustration.

"Must you share the details of your married life with everyone?" He asks.

"Haven't had much chance to have a married life for the last year or so," Dwalin shrugs, "so I'll share if I want to. Will be nice to stay in the Dwarrowdelf for a while."

They part ways slowly, sent to different rooms in what has turned out to be a far larger residence than Fíli had been expecting. He and Kíli are placed into a room together, and they take turns in the tub as they scrub the road from themselves as best they can. Kíli's hair is still not long enough for braids yet, and Fíli suspects that he would refuse to wear any regardless, but his brother helps comb through Fíli's tangled locks and they curl up together on the bed for a time as they simply bask in the chance to have a little bit of time together just the two of them. They like their companions, and in truth Fíli would not change their presence in his life for anything since without this quest he would never have got his brother back, but it is nice to just have a moment where it is only the two of them.

Their quiet time is disturbed by Thorin, who comes to summon Kíli to Frerin's study so that he can be present while everything is explained to the dwarf lord. Fíli wants to go with them, but Thorin shuts him down quickly.

"You need sleep, lad," his uncle says gently. "Tomorrow will be a busy day, and whatever part you play in support of your brother, it would be best if you were well rested for it. You have been your brother's protector throughout our journey here. Rest, he will come to no harm while he is with me."

One by one Thorin breaks down Fíli's objections and to the elder's surprise, his brother does not object to Thorin's orders. He simply steps forward to press his head against Fíli's and Fíli is surprised at the fact that Kíli is taller than he is, even with years of mistreatment at the hands of the White Wizard. Idly he wonders if that was true before Kíli was taken and is perplexed when he cannot remember. His brother leaves with Thorin and Fíli collapses back onto the bed that they will share for the night. For a while he thinks about their past, their lives in Bree before all of this began, and now he realises that it started with Kíli's kidnapping and not the arrival of the wizard. Not that he can figure out why they would take Kíli, because while he knows that only members of the line of Durin can touch the stone, the idea that he and his brother are related to the line in any sense is laughable.

They would not have lived hidden away in Bree if they were.

He is asleep before his brother returns, although he feels Kíli's comforting weight slip in with him at some stage during the night. He does not sleep well, however, even with his brother's presence. His dreams are plagued with questions, with sights that he saw during their journey. Voices he knows, voices he does not, and voices that he feels like he should know make constant demands of him. Is he ready? Will he take his place among his people? Can he lead? Will he claim what is his? Time and time again he wakes in a cold sweat and by the time early morning rolls around it has proved too much.

He gets out of bed quietly, trying not to disturb his brother and failing when Kíli's eyes flash open. His brother is a light sleeper these days, not that Fíli is surprised, and he also clambers out of bed. They help each other dress in silence, Kíli carefully puts Fíli's braids back in, helping to smooth the tunic of deep blue velvet and checks his boots for lingering mud. A glance in the mirror shows them stood side by side in matching tunics, though Fíli has no idea how Frerin's people managed to find them and have them so well fitted. Kíli has a heavy leather pouch attached to his belt which Fíli knows contains the Arkenstone, though he is otherwise unarmed. Fíli's twin swords are already in place across his back, a pair of daggers that he had crafted himself on each hip. They look almost like they belong in this place, dressed in their matching tunics with their hair neatly combed, even though Fíli looks exhausted.

"Ready?" Kíli asks and Fíli gives him a startled look.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" He says. Kíli shrugs.

"I'm ready for it to be over," he replies. "Will you stay with me?" The request is sudden and unnecessary. "I don't think I can do it alone."

"You didn't even have to ask," Fíli assures him, placing his hand on his brother's shoulder as he turns to face him. "Mahal willing we will always be at each other's side." Kíli smiles and although it is slightly sad there is still a brightness to it that has been missing for a long time. "Let's get some breakfast," he continues, "I suspect that this is going to be a long day. Although, if nothing else this whole thing will reassure Bilba that the heir of Durin hasn't suddenly emerged to take the throne."

Kíli trips over his own feet.

They run into Bilba as she is coming out of her own room, wearing a simple gown of emerald. Her hair has been swept back from her face using a pair of silver combs and Fíli pauses when he sees her. She smiles in greeting.

"You look amazing," he breathes without thinking. It is a poor compliment, since at that moment she is quite the most beautiful lass he has ever seen. Still, she blushes and a nervous hand comes up to fiddle with a curl, though her hair is still only just brushing her shoulders.

"You're too kind," she demures.

"No," he shakes his head. "You know me too well to think that, Bilba," he insists. "You look marvellous."

She looks up at him. They have avoided being alone since the incident in Erebor, neither one wanting to risk engaging their hearts further when they know that there's still a chance that something will happen to pull them apart. Not even Kíli's presence now, however, is enough to stop him from reaching for her. It is not enough to distract from the warm feel of her beneath his hands or her wide eyed wonder at the thought that he really does think her beautiful. Kíli's presence is not even enough to stop him from leaning down and covering her lips with his. Her hands curl into fists in his tunic, clinging to him and pulling him closer to her. There is the sound of a throat clearing and they spring apart to see Thorin watching them with an arched eyebrow and an amused smirk.

"You are a useless chaperone, Kíli," their uncle points out. Kíli shrugs and there is the briefest hint of mischief in his eyes.

"He's my brother," Kíli replies as if that explains everything.

"Aye, lad," Thorin smiles and rests a fond hand on Kíli's shoulder. "Still, that is quite enough, you two," he directs at Fíli and a furiously blushing Bilba. He leads Kíli past them with a small wink.

"Can I escort you to breakfast?" Fíli offers his arm and the hobbit accepts gratefully. "When this is over," he breathes, "once you've completed the ceremony…" He does not continue but he sees her nod in understanding.

Neither of them speaks further, Fíli too full of the idea of making a declaration he knows she is in no position to accept and he suspects that some part of Bilba must feel the same. Instead they endure breakfast with Frerin and his family, and though Fíli would be more than thrilled to meet more of the family he was not aware of having, his mind is on other things, preoccupied with what will happen to Kíli once the Arkenstone has been returned to its rightful place above the throne of Durin, worried for Bilba though he knows that there will be no heir to claim her from him. He listens as Thorin and Frerin explain what will happen instead. He hears about how the hall will be filled with as many dwarves as possible to witness the return of the Jewel of Durin and he nods silently when Thorin asks if he has agreed to walk with Kíli.

All too soon he finds himself in an antechamber At the end of the great hall. Even through the thick door and stone he can clearly hear the rumble of dwarf voices as he waits with his brother and Kíli. Nori stands by the door with them, his face tight with wariness but there is a slightly gleeful gleam about his eyes that Fíli doesn't like. Kíli turns to look at him for a long moment, reaching to take his hand as the noise dies down and the sound of Gandalf's voice booms through the hall. Fíli squeezes back.

"Ready?" He breathes.

"Are you?" Kíli replies. "Whatever happens?"

"Whatever happens," Flíi agrees.

"That's your cue," Nori tells them as there is a roar from the dwarrow gathered in the hall. "Get the stone to the front and don't worry about anything else. I'll be right behind you both."

There is no time to ask Nori what the plan is if something does happen, because the door is opening and Fíli finds himself and his brother practically shoved through. His heart immediately leaps into his throat as the eyes of every dwarf in the room turns up on him and Kíli. The atmosphere is tense, the feeling of eyes upon them is an almost crushing weight as the two young dwarrow walk up the aisle that seems suddenly too long. Idly, Fíli remembers that it is his birthday and this is the day that he turns seventy and would be considered of age. It is strange to realise that the day has gone completely unremarked, not something that his uncle has ever allowed to happen in the past, and yet Fíli understands it. The attention of the dwarrow of Khazad-dûm is enough to show just how much the importance of the day of this birth pales in comparison to the return of this stone to the greatest home of his people.

They step up onto the dais at the head of the hall, upon which a throne which holds only a crown is stood. On the wall behind it, hilt down, is a great sword that seems to have merged with the stone. Fíli stares up at it in awe, missing the murmurs of the crowd as his brother releases his hand and pulls the Arkenstone from the leather pouch at his hip. Kíli moves away.

"And now I return that which was stolen from Durin's folk," Kíli's voice rings out far louder than it should and Fíli turns to look at him, "not only to its people, but to their king."

There is a stunned silence, then Kíli approaches him, face bathed in the glow of the Jewel of Durin as the colours shift hypnotically in front of him. Fíli hardly thinks when he reaches to take it, the hum in his bones intensifying as his hand draws nearer until it bursts into a crescendo of song in his mind as he lifts the Arkenstone. He stares at it in undisguised wonder, his feet carry him without thought to the sword behind the throne and it takes only a moment to touch the stone to the hilt of it. In that moment the sword shifts and, instinctively, he takes the hilt in his hand and lifts, turning with the sword above his head and the light of the Arkenstone shining brightly enough to blind him.

"I present unto you, Fíli, son of Dís!" Gandalf roars over the room. "True heir to the throne of Durin!"

A tremendous roar fills the room as Fíli stares disbelieving out over the crowd until his eyes land on one face. Bilba.

She does not look happy.


A.N: I have been waiting to post this chapter forever, there's still more to go, obviously, but I have been waiting so long and in the end it came out exactly the way that I had envisioned it so I'm pretty happy.